Loren Seibold | 20 October 2021 | Let me start by saying that in the best of all possible worlds, there would be no abortion of unborn fetuses. An ethicist—even a Christian one—would tell you that the “best of all possible worlds” argument isn’t a very useful one, because the list of things that should […] Source: https://atoday.org/why-arent-fathers-responsible-for-illegal-abortions/
Thursday: The First Commandment
However much some Christians, for various reasons, seek to separate the Old Testament from the New, it can’t be done, at least not without all but denuding the New Testament of its true meaning. The New Testament, in its revelation of Jesus and its theological explanations of His life, death, resurrection, and High Priestly ministry, points to the fulfillment of many of the Old Testament prophecies and types. In many ways, the Old Testament forms the background, the context, the basis for the New. Both testaments reveal the goodness and love of God.
This is one reason why, over and over, the New Testament, including Jesus, quotes the Old.
Read Mark 12:28-30. What was the question asked about the “first commandment of all”? What does Jesus respond and from where does He get His answer?
Image © Kevin Carden at Goodsalt.com
It’s interesting that a scribe, someone who had dedicated his life to understanding the law and how it should be applied, would have asked this question. However, many laws they might have believed that they needed to obey (later Jewish tradition said that there were 613 laws), it’s not surprising that they would want it all distilled into one question.
And what does Jesus do?
He goes right to Deuteronomy 6, starting out with the “Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one!” (Deuteronomy 6:4), and then quotes the next verse as well, about loving God with all your heart, soul, and strength. He pointed to the key affirmation of the Lord as their God, their only God, and based on that great truth, they are called to love Him supremely.
What could be more “present truth” than this command? In the very last days, when final events unfold and everyone will be called to choose one side or the other in a very dramatic way, the commandments of God (Revelation 14:12) will play a crucial role.
Ultimately, the side we choose, even in the face of persecution, will be based on whether or not we truly love God. That’s the deciding issue, and we can come to love God with all our heart and soul and might only as we come to know Him for ourselves and experience for ourselves His goodness, love, and grace. If need be, that’s something to die for.
| If someone were to ask you: How do people come to love a God that they have never seen personally, what would you say? In class, talk about your answer. |
Amen!
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On the Rise: 2 More Women in Top Positions in Adventist Church
Pastor Melissa Cooke is the new Executive Secretary of the Maritime Conference Pastor Lola Moore-Johnston is the first female lead pastor ever appointed by the Potomac Conference. 20 October 2021 | Pastor Melissa Cooke and Pastor Lola Moore-Johnston have moved into top leadership positions in the Maritime Conference and the Potomac Conference, respectively. Cooke is […] Source: https://atoday.org/on-the-rise-2-more-women-in-top-positions-in-adventist-church/
He Shall Justify Many
He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Isaiah 53:11.
True holiness is wholeness in the service of God. This is the condition of true Christian living. Christ asks for an unreserved consecration, for undivided service. He demands the heart, the mind, the soul, the strength. Self is not to be cherished. He who lives to himself is not a Christian. Love must be the principle of action. Love is the underlying principle of God’s government in heaven and earth, and it must be the foundation of the Christian’s character. This alone can make and keep him steadfast. This alone can enable him to withstand trial and temptation.
And love will be revealed in sacrifice. The plan of redemption was laid in sacrifice—a sacrifice so broad and deep and high that it is immeasurable. Christ gave all for us, and those who receive Christ will be ready to sacrifice all for the sake of their Redeemer. The thought of His honor and glory will come before anything else. If we love Jesus, we shall love to live for Him, to present our thank-offerings to Him, to labor for Him.—Christ’s Object Lessons, 48, 49.
The Redeemer will not accept divided service. Daily the worker for God must learn the meaning of self-surrender. He must study the Word of God, learning its meaning and obeying its precepts. Thus he may reach the standard of Christian excellence. Day by day God works with him, perfecting the character that is to stand in the time of final test. And day by day the believer is working out before men and angels a sublime experiment, showing what the gospel can do for fallen human beings.—Gospel Workers, 113.
With God at Dawn p. 295
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for a church member’s husband who is in the hospital with covid and is getting worse. Heidi
—-We have a dear adopted sister, who nearly a year ago, fled an abusive and violent marriage with her precious children. She is now in divorce proceedings. Pray that she gets to keep her children. J
—-David and his family need prayer. Please pray that he will be willing to take the medication that he needs. Buck
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Dear Friends,
Some years ago, I was having a conversation with a relative about some things I was struggling with. In the course of the conversation they suggested that I should talk to Esther because she was like a light in the darkness that made a person feel better just talking to her.
After we hung up the phone, I began to think about that statement about Esther. Praise God! What a witness to her connection with Jesus, Who is “the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” John 1:9 How vital that we have that connection so that we can be lights to others who are enveloped in a world of darkness. Indeed, without that connection, our light is darkness. Jesus tells us, “No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.” “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Luke 11:33-36; Matt 5:14, 16
Solomons observed, “the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Prov 4:18 Is our path safe for others to follow? Are we as lights in a dark place? Do we reflect the love of Jesus to those around us each day? Are they closer to Him because of us? Do they understand the Scriptures better because of our witness? May we be as lesser lights reflecting the True Light that they, in turn, may become lights to others is my prayer.
Rose
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rosesdevotional/~3/5yRmEFJyFGI/he-shall-justify-many.html
Growth Spurt: Adventist Church in Tanzania Gains 40,000 New Members Through Media Campaign
Church members installed screens in bars, restaurants, barbershops, prisons — wherever they found crowds of people. Former witch that was converted through the campaign released a hyena he had been using in his magic at his baptism. 120 prisoners in city of Mwanza decided to be baptized after watching the campaign. 20 October 2021 | […] Source: https://atoday.org/growth-spurt-adventist-church-in-tanzania-gains-40000-new-members-through-media-campaign/
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